ladyflyfsh

Hi Everyone...this is my first post here.

I have recently relocated to Sarasota, FL and this is my first winter here. It is also my first attempt at growing bananas and papayas. We had one night last week that got down to just below freezing and although other plants in the yard managed to get covered, and some came indoors, I neglected to cover the banana (NumWah) and papaya (Red Lady) and they both took a big hit that night. The leaves have completely wilted back and both my plants that looked gorgeous a few days ago look like crap now. What do you recommend I do to them so I don't get a fungus or anything more damaging than what they have already had to endure? Do I cut any of the leaves back? Do I leave it be?

Our cold snap is over for now and we are back to sort of normal temps with day time highs from mid 60's to low to mid 70's and night time temps around 56. The day before yesterday we were at 73 and then it rained yesterday.

Please help...I am devastated at the thought of losing both these plants I have worked so hard to keep healthy and happy. Thanks...> Mary

varig8

This same thing happens to me here in Miami when the few weeks in Dec and Jan we get cold snaps teetering around the 30's. There isnt much you can do about the foliage-just cut off the dying leaves, they dont come back. Fortunately, it doesnt last long enough to kill the trunks or roots and they spring back right away with the temps coming back to normal. Of course you will have colder weather being so much farther North than me, but I doubt it will kill off your bananas or Papayas. Its just part of life here in Sunny Florida! When you get another serious drop in temps, you could cover these plants with some material and it might save some of the foliage.

kelehawaii

Hello from Hawai'i. I lived in Ellenton/Bradenton area for a couple of years and the same thing happened to me. The original Namwah plant is done however there should be babies that will sprout from the parent corm and they will likely be fine providing no more freezes take place.

In addition, get into the habit of listening to the 'Florida Gardening' program on WFLA either online or on the air every Sunday morning from 7AM to 10AM hosted by Mark Govan who is a friend of mine and is a graduate of the U of Fl ag/horticulture school. You will find it at 970 on your AM dial or online at 970WFLA.com. It is a call in program and very valuable information on gardening in the Tampa Bay area.

Another excellent resource for you is located in Ellenton, just a few exits north of you near the junction of I-75 and US 301. It is called the EarthBox Store. Here is their website: Earthbox Gardening Container | Whisenant Farms in Ellenton FL

The originator of the Earth Box, Blake Whisenant, gives free classes lectures there on home gardening in the Tampa Bay area which you might be interested in attending. They also have a nursery there and Blake's son operates the large nursery/farm inland of the coast and is now preparing to start tours for the public. The Earth Box itself is an amazing way to grow a lot of stuff in a small space. Check it out. You'll be glad you did.
Aloha

Kele in Hilo Hawai'i

Olafhenny

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Bob3

We get tagged by frost here in Sacramento all too often, so we've got some background in frost damage (with bananas, at least).

As already mentioned, your trunks will probably be OK & also as already mentioned, neatly trim off the leaf stems a couple-few inches away from the trunk & don't do any extra watering, allow to dry a bit, if possible.

You might want to consider making some "tents" using either firring strips (teepee style) or a cylindrical shape using the concrete reinforcing mesh (6" square wire mesh) rolled into a cylinder shape & covered with plastic or old sheets.
Both types of "tent" can be easily removed during the day [for air circulation) but replaced when nights get cold.
Maintaining good air circulation is one of the best ways to avoid any fungus mischief.
Smaller plants can get covered with a garbage can.

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KBaron

No worries.... I would not cut any frost damaged frond/leaf as it will ad insulation, as winter has just begun and more cold weather may be forcast as it is an El Ninja year... Sarasota is sub tropical, your Musa will recover. If trmps plunge below 0 celsius or 32 F for a long period, then do wrap the plant in burlap.

The Papaya, on the other hand is very frost sensitive and will rot at the root ball if left in cold damp temps... I would repot it and protect it until the weather warms up, shelter it under glass or under a patio cover?

I built a solarium/greenhouse to protect my Musas and brugmansias, and a Papaya, the later is unhappy that I let the greenhouse temps drop to 10c. or
50 F...

ladyflyfsh

Well a little differing in opinions but that is to be expected. I will not water (we did have rain most of the day on Saturday) and I will carefully trim back some of the foliage on the banana and watch everything and the weather more closely. No more frosts predicted in the long range forecast so that will give me time to come up with a suitable covering system for both. There is new growth on the papaya and I think both will be ok in the long run. It is just heartbreaking to see the results of what a few hours of frost can do to a beautiful plant! Thank you everyone for your input. My biggest question of all was to cut leaves or not to cut leaves.

Caloosamusa

Welcome Ladyflyfsh to Bananas dot org from another in the Sunshine State South of you.

After a life-time of dealing with Florida Freezes it is my humble opinion that the leaves stay as insulation. They will droop and fall around the pseudostem soon. Do not make any cuts on the plant until May. These freeze procedures are also practiced by other successful growers in Florida.

Good weather and Good growing to you!

ladyflyfsh

Thank you Caloosamusa. I have not made any cuts and will take your advise. I have a lot to learn about gardening this far south. Things are a bit different in Montana where I lived for the last 12+ years! Needless to say I was not growing bananas and papayas there!

kelehawaii

I agree with leaving the plant as is. I know it looks dreadful but just put up with it!

ladyflyfsh

I can do that. I want what is best for the plant! Thanks!

Dean W.

Welcome to the org. I leave leaves on tell spring then make a determination of how much Pseudo-stem is left intact. Good luck with your plants.

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